Game dial settable to vary relative strengths of players



June 2, 196.4 G. KINSEY- 3,135,515

GAME DIAL SETTABLE T0 VARY RELATIVE STRENGTHS OF PLAYERS Filed June 5, 1961 INVENTORZ GLENN K I NSEY ATTYS.

United States Patent 3,135,515 GAME DIAL SETTABLIE T0 VARY RELATIVE STRENGTHS 6F PLAYERS Glenn Kinsey, 517 Woodclifie Road, Upper Darby, Pa. Fiierl June 5, 1961, Ser. No. 114,685 Qlaims. (Cl. 273-141) This invention relates to a game dial designed to render a fair decision between two opponents or opposing teams.

In some conventional game dials a plurality of segments are located arbitrarily in fixed positions on the face of the dial, each segment bearing a notation such as a number .or instructions to be carried out by the opponents and an indicator or spinner, mounted for sweeping movement with respect to the segments, is adapted to be actuated by the opponents and register with one of the segments when it comes to rest and thereby advance the game or decide the outcome thereof. A dial of this type does not have means for selectively setting the dial in accordance with the relative strengths of the opponents and accordingly the relative strength is not a factor aifecting the decision of the dial.

An object of the present invention is to provide a game dial incorporating means whereby the dial may be set selectively to reflect the relative strengths of the opponents to thereby render a decision on the basis of odds determined by the indicated relative strengths.

The dial of the present invention has an area or field representing each of the opponents and an indicator rotatably mounted on the dial operable to sweep the fields upon actuation by either opponent. The indicator is spun and the winner is determined by the field in which the indicator stops. The size of the fields is adapted to be varied selectively in accordance with the relative strengths of the opponents which are expressed in terms of odds on the face of the dial. Accordingly, on the basis of the indicated relative strengths, the dial over a long period renders a decision in relation to the odds indicated in accordance with the law of averages.

The various features and details of the construction and use of the dial are more fully set forth hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a dial for games made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the dial;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan View thereof at a reduced scale;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of one of the disc members of the dial removed therefrom; and

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of base member of the dial assembly.

Referring now to the drawing, the dial consists of a base member 10 of generally circular form, a split disc member 12 rotatably supported concentrically of the base 10 and an indicator or spinner 16 mounted on a spindle 14 for rotation centrally of the base 10 and split disc 12.

In accordance with the present invention, the base member 10 has an annular portion 20 spaced inwardly from the outer peripheral edge thereof which defines a field or area B representing an opponent and is marked 3,135,515 Patented June 2, i964 with a distinguishing color, for example, blue. The split disc member 12 consists of an inner central disc member or hub 25% and an outer split ring member 19 which is marked with a distinguishing color, such as red, and defines a field or area R representing another opponent. As shown in FIG. 5, the split ring member 19 is connected or anchored at one end adjacent the split by a bridge connection 34 and is separated from the hub 28 for the major portion of its inner peripheral edge with its other free end portion terminating adjacent the split. In the present instance, a cover disc 35 is secured to the central disc or hub 28 which may, if desired, extend over the inner edge of the split ring member 19 and conceal the spacing between the ring 19 and hub 28.

The free end portion of the split ring member 19 is adapted to pass through a radial slot 36 in the annular portion 21? so that a segment of the split ring member 19 adjacent its one end overlies the annular portion 20 over a portion of its circumference and the segment of the split ring member 19 adjacent its free end underlies the base member 1%. Accordingly a segmental portion of the red field R is exposed and a complementary segmental portion of the blue field B is exposed. Rotation of the spiit-disc member 12 is one direction, for example a clockwise direction with respect to FIG. 1, increases the exposure of the red field R and decreases proportionately the exposure of the blue field B and conversely rotation of the split-disc member 12 in the opposite direction decreases the exposure of the red field R and increases proportionately the exposed area of the blue field B.

In order to rotate the split disc 12 relative to the base it to vary selectively the exposed areas of the field R and B, an indexing tab '70 is provided which as shown is split and straddles the base 10. One leg 74 of the tab 7%} overlies the front face of the base and is connected to the one end of the split ring member 19 anchored to the hub 28 and the other leg 76 of the tab '70 underlies the base and is connected to the free end of the split ring member. This construction provides a permanent assembly and limits rotation of the split disc with respect to the base. For example rotation of the split disc 12 in a clockwise direction is limited by engagement of the leg '76 of the tab 7t) with one edge of the radial slot 36 and rotation of the split disc 12 in the counterclockwise direction is limited by engagement of the leg 74 and the other edge of the slot 36.

In accordance with the invention, means are provided for setting the dial so that the exposed area of the fields R and B is in proportion to the relative strength of the opponents, whereby the spinner 16 may render a decision reflecting the relative strengths of the opponents. To this end, odds indicia 5i? representing relative strength of the opponents are provided on one of the relatively rotatable members of the dial and index means is provided on the other member which cooperates with the odds indicia for setting the relative positions of the rotatable members and thereby the relative exposure of the fields R and B in accordance with the odds indicia.

In the present instance, the odds indicia 5i) consist of two circumferential rows of numbers on the base member 16 at circumferentially spaced points adjacent the outer edge thereof and the index means consists of an arrow 72 on the tab which registers with the odds indicia as shown for example in FIG. 1. The outer row of numbers represents one of the opponents as indicated by the color square 60 and the inner row represents the other opponent as indicated by the color square 62. It is noted that the pairs of numbers at each point constitute odds representing the strength ratio of the opponents. The odds favoring the one opponent are greatest at the lower left hand of the dial with respect to FIG. 1 and decrease in clockwise direction to even approximately half way around the dial at a point opposite the radial slot 36. From even in clockwise direction the odds for the other opponent increase to a maximum at the lower right hand side of the dial.

The dial may be used, for example, to determine the winner in a war game between opponents which is characterized by a series of battles and where battle pieces are placed in opposition at one or more battle locations. The number of battle pieces for each opponent and the number of pieces at each of the battle locations may be determined in any suitable manner, for example, by rolling dice. When each of the battles is drawn, there will be therefore a number of pieces on each side which total a given strength value for each opponent. By way of illustration assume that at one battle location one opponent, designated the blue opponent and represented by the blue field B, has a strength of 16 and the other opponent, designated the red opponent and represented by the red field R, has a strength of 6, the strength ratio therefore being 8 to 3 in favor of the blue opponent. The remaining battle locations similarly would have opposed battle pieces in a given strength ratio. The winner of each battle and the war may be determined by the use of the dial and it is noted that on the basis of odds, the opponent having the greater strength at a given battle location would be favored to win that battle and it is on this basis that the dial may be used to resolve the outcome.

Accordingly in the example cited, the dial is set to reflect the given strength ratio by rotating the split disc 12 in the present instance in a counterclockwise direction with respect to FIG. 1 until the arrow 72 registers with the 8/3 marking. Approximate accuracy of the setting may be checked visually by noting the relative exposure of the fields R and B. In the present instance the exposed portion of the blue field B should be greater than that of the red field R. The spinner is then actuated, and the winner is determined by the field with which the spinner registers when it comes to rest.

In order to provide a variation in the use of the dial and give an added advantage to the opponent favored on the basis of odds, each of fields may be divided into a plurality of ring segments 80 and each segment may have a legend therein indicating instructions to be carried out by the opponents. As shown the legends on the blue field B for example in a counterclockwise direction with respect to FIG. 1 range in increasing degree of advantage from draw to destroy all Red and the legends on the red field R are arranged similarly. As seen in FIG. 1 when the odds are even, the degree of advantage is equal, both opponents having the same chance to advance and neither opponent being able to destroy. When the odds favor the blue opponent, the split disc 12 is rotated counterclockwise from even thereby covering a segment of the red field R and exposing a corresponding segment of the blue field B. This changes the degee of advantage so that the chance of the red opponent advancing is decreased and the blue opponent can now destroy pieces of the red opponent. Conversely, as thes odds favor the red opponent the split disc 12 is rotated in a clockwise direction from even and the degree of advantage is changed in favor of the red opponent so that the chance of the blue opponent advancing is decreased and the red opponent can now destroy pieces of the blue opponent. It is noted that when the strength ratio of the opponents changes during the course of the game by one opponent 4 destroying one or more of the other opponents pieces, the dial should be reset in accordance with the strength ratio as it is varied.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described herein it is not intended to limit the invention to a particular embodiment and changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A dial for use by opponents to determine the outcome of a game comprising a base member of generally disc-like form, an annular portion on one face of the base spaced radially inwardly from the peripheral edge thereof defining a field representing an opponent, means defining a radial slot in the annular portion of the base, a hub of smaller diameter than the base rotatably mounted on said one face of the base member concentrically therewith, a split ring member defining a second field representing another opponent secured at one end to the hub by a bridge connection and the other free end thereof engaging through said radial slot whereby a segment of the split ring member adjacent said one end overlies said annular portion over a portion of its circumference and the segment of said split ring member adjacent its other free end underlies the base member, means mounting said split ring member for rotation with respect to the base thereby rotation in one direction increases the exposed portion of said one field and decreases proportionately the exposed portion of said second field and rotation in the opposite direction increases the exposed portion of said second field and decreases proportionately the exposed portion of said one field, odds indicia representing relative strength of the opponents circumferentially spaced on said one face of the base, index means on the split ring cooperating with the odds indicia for setting the relative position of said base member and split ring member and thereby the relative exposed portions of said fields in accordance with the odds indicia and an indicator rotatably mounted on the dial operable upon actuation to sweep the fields and come to rest in registry with one of the exposed portions of said fields.

2. A dial according to claim 1 wherein each of said fields is divided into at least two ring segments and wherein each segment has a legend therein indicating instructions to be carried out by an opponent.

3. A dial according to claim 2 wherein said legends in said one field favor said one opponent and range in increasing degree of advantage for said one opponent circumferentially of said one field and wherein said legends in said second field favor said other opponent and range in increasing degree of advantage for said other opponent circumferentially of said second field.

4. A dial for use by opponents to determine the outcome of a game comprising a base member of generally disc-like form, an annular portion on one face of the base spaced radially inwardly from the peripheral edge thereof defining a field representing an opponent, means defining a radial slot in the annular portion of the base, a hub of smaller diameter than the base rotatably mounted on said one face of the base member concentrically therewith, a split ring member defining a second field representing another opponent secured at one end to the hub by a bridge connection and the other free end thereof engaging through said radial slot whereby a segment of the split ring member adjacent said one end overlies said annular portion over a portion of its circumference and the segment of said split ring member adjacent said other free end underlies said base member, means mounting said split ring member for rotation with respect to the base whereby rotation in one direction increases the exposed portion of said one field and decreases proportionately the exposed portion of said second field and rotation in the opposite direction increases the exposed portion of said second field and decreases proportionately the exposed portion of said first field, odds indicia on said one face of the base representing relative strength of the opponents, an indexing tab for rotating said split ring member connected to the split ring member and projecting radially beyond the peripheral edge of the base, index means on said tab cooperating with the odds indicia for setting the relative position of said base member and split ring member and thereby the exposed portions of the fields in accordance with the odds indicia and an indicator rotatably mounted on the dial operable upon actuation to sweep the fields and come to rest in registry with one of said exposed portions of said fields.

5. A dial according to claim 4 wherein said indexing References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 136,048 Elliott Feb. 18, 1873 505,943 Fischer et a1 Oct. 3, 1893 2,011,517 Geoffrion Aug. 13, 1935 2,785,530 Mayer Mar. 19, 1957 

1. A DIAL FOR USE BY OPPONENTS TO DETERMINE THE OUTCOME OF A GAME COMPRISING A BASE MEMBER OF GENERALLY DISC-LIKE FORM, AN ANNULAR PORTION ON ONE FACE OF THE BASE SPACED RADIALLY INWARDLY FROM THE PERIPHERAL EDGE THEREOF DEFINING A FIELD REPRESENTING AN OPPONENT, MEANS DEFINING A RADIAL SLOT IN THE ANNULAR PORTION OF THE BASE, A HUB OF SMALLER DIAMETER THAN THE BASE ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID ONE FACE OF THE BASE MEMBER CONCENTRICALLY THEREWITH, A SPLIT RING MEMBER DEFINING A SECOND FIELD REPRESENTING ANOTHER OPPONENT SECURED AT ONE END TO THE HUB BY A BRIDGE CONNECTION AND THE OTHER FREE END THEREOF ENGAGING THROUGH SAID RADIAL SLOT WHEREBY A SEGMENT OF THE SPLIT RING MEMBER ADJACENT SAID ONE END OVERLIES SAID ANNULAR PORTION OVER A PORTION OF ITS CIRCUMFERENCE AND THE SEGMENT OF SAID SPLIT RING MEMBER ADJACENT ITS OTHER FREE END UNDERLIES THE BASE MEMBER, MEANS MOUNTING SAID SPLIT RING MEMBER FOR ROTATION WITH RESPECT TO THE BASE THEREBY ROTATION IN ONE DIRECTION INCREASES THE EXPOSED PORTION OF SAID ONE FIELD AND DECREASES PROPORTIONATELY THE EXPOSED PORTION OF SAID SECOND FIELD AND ROTATION IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION INCREASES THE EXPOSED PORTION OF SAID SECOND FIELD AND DECREASES PROPORTIONATELY THE EXPOSED PORTION OF SAID ONE FIELD, ODDS INDICIA REPRESENTING RELATIVE STRENGTH OF THE OPPONENTS CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED ON SAID ONE FACE OF THE BASE, INDEX MEANS ON THE SPLIT RING COOPERATING WITH THE ODDS INDICIA FOR SETTING THE RELATIVE POSITION OF SAID BASE MEMBER AND SPLIT RING MEMBER AND THEREBY THE RELATIVE EXPOSED PORTIONS OF SAID FIELDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ODDS INDICIA AND AN INDICATOR ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON THE DIAL OPERABLE UPON ACUTATION TO SWEEP THE FIELDS AND COME TO REST IN REGISTRY WITH ONE OF THE EXPOSED PORTIONS OF SAID FIELDS. 